A Jersey City mayoral candidate who was excluded from an upcoming debate at St. Peter’s University will now be able to participate, the debate’s organizers say.

Abdul Malik, 54, was the only candidate of the four running for mayor who wasn’t invited to the April 17 debate, and Malik called the decision "unfair" and "disturbing."

But PolitickerNJ Editor Darryl Isherwood, who will moderate the forum, said this afternoon that Malik will be invited after all.

“In consultation with officials at St. Peter's University, we have decided to include Malik now that he has made his desire to participate known,” Isherwood says in an email to The Jersey Journal.

Isherwood says in the email that the initial decision to exclude Malik stemmed from his lack of campaign cash and low name recognition.

"Good," Malik said when told the news. "I am glad that they made right decision."

Malik is challenging incumbent Mayor Jerramiah Healy on May 14, when the mayoralty and all nine City Council seats are up for grabs. The other mayoral candidates are Councilman Steve Fulop and former local basketball star Jerry Walker.

The debate is scheduled for April 17 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s University.